Building A Cob Oven For Seed-to-table Meals And Food Security + Workshops

Objective:

Our goal was to build a wood-fired cob oven at a community homestead supported by Farming Falmouth—an initiative that grows food for families facing food insecurity on Cape Cod. The oven enables them to host seed-to-table dinners and cooking classes using the food they grow.

Why this action?

The stewards of this homestead are growing food not only for themselves but for a wider network of people who do not have access to fresh produce or nutrient-dense meals. They wanted a way to cook outdoors, gather people, and celebrate the harvest. The cob oven is a tool for both nourishment and education.

What happened:

We spent the day co-building a cob oven using earthen materials, including clay, sand, straw, and reclaimed bricks. The event included a plant walk and foraging experience, where we harvested wild edibles to prepare and share. Through the process, we deepened our understanding of how natural building, food sovereignty, and community rituals can come together.

What we learned:

This kind of hands-on project helps demystify natural building and creates meaningful infrastructure for community use. By combining construction, ecological education, and nourishment, we engaged multiple senses and multiple levels of impact.